The sporran has been an essential piece of kit for kilt-wearing Scotsmen since the Dark Ages. Kilts have no pockets, so a practical solution was to make a bag or pocket that could be worn around the waist, which was used to carry essentials. Early examples of sporrans are drawstring bags made out of calf skin or deer skin, but the more formally shaped plain leather sporrans with a flap closure are seen from the 15th century onwards. Hairy (or furry) sporrans appeared in the 18th century, as part of Highland military uniforms, and this style was soon adopted by the general sporran-wearing public. Tassels on the sporran are now purely decorative and are seen on plain everyday sporrans and the more elaborate formal sporrans. They are a reminder of the original drawstring style of sporran. The purse style top edge started as a show of wealth, with the first purse clasps being made of brass and worn only by clan chieftains.

Today sporrans come in two main types – plain leather sporrans for day to day wear, and purse-style furry sporrans which are more often worn for formal occasions. Either type is acceptable for Highland Dance regulations. This pattern contains pattern pieces for both types of sporran. The furry purse-style sporran has a silver purse clasp at the edge. In this pattern silver leatherette or vinyl is used to create the look of the purse sporran as it is easy to acquire and can be cut to a suitable size for dolls, unlike traditional purse closures.

A fly plaid shawl or wrap is also part of traditional Highland Dress and is worn on formal occasions. Today the plaid is a separate square or rectangular piece of tartan fabric. Originally the plaid was all in one with the “great kilt” which was a large piece of fabric wrapped around the body, belted at the waist and the ends were thrown across one shoulder. Dress plaids have fringed edges and are usually worn tucked under the epaulette of a Scottish doublet or jacket such as the Prince Charlie jacket. They are usually pinned in front with a clan badge. The fly plaid is not normally worn for Highland Dance.

This pattern is also available in a bundled package with the The Prince Charlie Jacket and Vest and The Highland Dress Shirt at a discounted bundled price to save.

Recommended Fabrics: For the plaid you will need miniature tartan fabric, preferably woven rather than printed as both sides of the fabric will be visible when the plaid is worn. Light weight tartans such as brushed cotton shirt fabric are best as they will drape better than the traditional woolen fabrics. You can usually find mini plaid fabrics at heirloom sewing stores. For the sporrans you will need soft leather or leatherette/vinyl fabric for the every day sporran and fur fabric for the front of the purse style sporran. The Balmoral Bonnet is made from velvet, woolen or fleece fabric. I used lightweight Barathea, but any soft drape fabric will work, e.g. flannel.

Supplies Needed:SPORRAN- For the “leather” sporran 7.5” x 5.5” of soft leather or vinyl - For the purse-style sporran you will need 4.5” x 5.5” soft leather or vinyl - a 4” square of mid-length pile fur fabric- 2” x 2” of silver or gold leather or vinyl (if you cannot get metallic vinyl then you will need 2” x 2” of foil such as a candy wrapper).

Both sporrans also need:

- Hook and loop fastener or snaps for fastening the sporran- 1 small buckle to take 0.25” straps- 7.5” of silvered jewellery chain (plain link chain is best)- 2 x open jump rings large enough to fit around the D ring and chain (I used 3/16” inner diameter jump rings)- 2 x small D-rings – to take 0.5” straps

What You Get: One 36 page sewing pattern that you digitally download as a PDF file so you can start your project immediately! The PDF sewing pattern provides full color step-by-step illustrated instructions and full size pattern pieces. This pattern includes a 4 page Summary of Instructions section so you can print out just the text version if desired to save on printer ink! A PDF reader is required to view and print the files (example: Adobe Reader or Preview for MAC). The download link is received immediately after the transaction is complete. Print copies are NOT available.

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Highland Accessories

Look! I made a Sporran! And to think, a month ago, I didn’t know what a Sporran was!.. It’s the furry pocket thing that Scottish men wear with their kilts. This was a craft pattern for me. I got to use my electronic cutter to make the belt, and up-cycled a long necklace to make the chain. And, of course, I had to make a bonnet, too. This was an easy to do, and fun pattern. And it’s filled with all kinds of information about Highland Accessories you never knew. It’s part of the complete Highland Collection from Genniewren Designs.